PILESGROVE TWP. -- Black ice is being blamed by New Jersey State Police here for nine accidents that occurred overnight between Sunday night and Monday morning in their coverage area.

As the temperature fell along with a light coating of snow, motorists were faced with patches of ice that developed in the area, including portions of Mannington, Quinton, Alloway and Pilesgrove townships.

According to a state trooper at the Woodstown barracks here, between 8:30 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, police responded to nine minor accidents. He said it was mostly calls of drivers sliding off the roadway.

Police said no serious accidents were reported, adding that the amount of fender benders is fairly typical for the type of weather.